Should Pods Be Allowed In Schools

Imagine this. You’re too tired to function, walking around school like a zombie. All you want is a nap. Now imagine that you have an opportunity to sleep. Just one, glorious 20 minutes. Then you can function. That should be the case for all tired students. But, sadly, it is not. This needs to be changed. Nap “pods” are being introduced in schools, like Las Cruces High in New Mexico, and should be in many more. Too many teenagers are not getting the right amount of sleep per night, and are not doing well in school. The pods, which are already proven to be very beneficial to students, are helpful to not just the tired ones, but those who are suffering from anxiety or stress. Studies have shown that only 15-30% of students get the right amount of sleep on school nights, and that the ones who don’t are more likely to suffer from depression. Teenagers need 9-10 hours of sleep every night, but as is shown, most of them aren’t getting it. This is …show more content…
A nurse at a nap pod school states, “It was really beneficial, educationally, to put them in the pod for 20 minutes and send them back to class, rather than have them miss half a day.” The pods have a start button that when pressed, activates music and soothing lights inside. A soft vibration begins after 20 minutes of rest to wake the student up. The pods cost about $13,000, which is an inconvenience in terms of funding. Even if a school cannot afford nap pods, they should add a few extra cots in the nurse’s office, or set up a napping area in a quiet spot. Parents have wondered, “Why have these pods? They should be in class instead of sleeping.” They would be in class physically, but most certainly not mentally. Fatigue does not serve a student well in class. I know from experience that when one is tired, one cannot focus. It is worth it for a student to miss a part of class to ensure that they will perform better for the rest of the